I'm not convinced a 250 2t is the ideal machine? You've raised most of the issues/points already.

4t defo better for more road stuff but then it'll be burning up life for not enough joy.

Why not get something more suited to zero experience and the road/trails to start then hop up when you feel you can?

I know what I'd be like though if the choice were mine and sensible thinking was seen to be dull- get the 250 and enjoy!

 

A couple of years ago I spent many hours converting a 300 EXC to supermoto. It was better suited to riding on the road as it had road wheels and tyres and better front brake, along with lowered and stiffer suspension.

When it was finished it looked quite nice, even though it was a 10 year old bike and you may be considering a later model.

 

That's bloody lovely!

 

It was ridden once on the road then sold

 

Correct.

Because 2 strokes are shit on the road, OP's question answered!

 

Wrong bike. Choose something else as your first bike.

 

Ok so here's the deal. I've never had a bike but I look at the KTM EXC 250 2 stroke and I think it's the sexiest thing I've ever laid eyes on. I have no experience on a bike so would like to use one for road use only until I get really comfortable and then maybe take it on a track as well as road.

Now I know I'm going to get a flood of answers saying 'dude these are competition bikes maybe you should consider X bike'. I don't want to consider any other bike. The reason I'm asking this is because I'm getting so many mixed answers and I want answers from actual riders of these bikes. My dilemma is that people are saying you shouldn't really consider one just for road use, yet 90% of the bikes I look at for sale are road registered with a licence plate on so that tells me different.

So could you please tell me:

Would a 2 stroke or 4 stroke be better for road use?

How many miles would I expect to get out of the bike?

What would the cost of running the bike be?

What's the maintenance like on these bikes considering that I'd only be using it for the road? I believe you have to change the piston every 60 hours, would I get more out of it if I'm not using it for the track?

What are the legality's of having the bike on the road? (do I need mirrors, indicators etc)



Please remember I have 0 experience so as much detail would be of great help and I thank you very much for your answers in advance!
p.s I'm only 12

corrected for you...

 

Bell end.

 

They're fine on the road for riding to trails, popping down the pub or the odd commute to work. Other than that I wouldn't pick one to use daily unless your pockets are very deep lol. They are off road bikes at the end of the day you'll be rebuilding the engine every month lol.

 

dude ?

 

If you want a bike for road use, buy a road bike. The KTM EXC is an off road bike that is also road legal. They are not meant to be road bikes but have to be for competition/enduro reasons. The 250 will take your arms off unless you tone it down, what's the point then? Also fuel consumption may be an issue, You say you've not had a bike before but the 250 looks sexy. Pass your test, get a road biased bike, ride it every day, get a 250 banger for a while then move to the smoker after a few practice days. Hope this helps, but remember, Jennifer Aniston looks sexy!

 

Also, regarding the road legal points, you don't need indicators, mirrors or even lights to pass an mot. Do your homework, day time mot, full mot etc.

 

Ive got the exc 125 i have to use it for road use sometimes but its killing the bike and horrible to ride for more then 10mins get a road bike would be better and probably cheeper in the long run

 

gemma atkinson looks sexy............can i have a ride on her please...........

 

as said any exc for the road is not ideal, but if the exc gives you a stiffy get a four stroke KTM EXC, looks the same apart from the front pipe and will be night and day compared to riding a 2 stroke on the road. There is a reason all the SM enduro KTM conversion's are 4 strokes......and one of the earlier posters sold their smoker immediately after the conversion .......

 

Its funny I was riding my 250 xc back from a rideout on some local lanes last night and I was thinking about your question. These bikes are awesome off road, but on road is a real pain, vibes, hunting throttle and feeling weird. Get them off road and they make so much more sense, if your gonna do it I suggest you get the EXC 250F as their road manners are far better.

 

Also you will not be able to leave it anywhere with all the thieving scum about.

You should probably consider a 125 IMHO. Its not worth getting your full license to ride a 250 rather than a 125.

 

Also you will not be able to leave it anywhere with all the thieving scum about.

This is a massive point, I never leave mine out of my sight or i keep it locked away, far to atractive to scumbags.

 

If you on a A2 licence good luck abiding by the power to weight ratio

 

good god no!
Buy a crf250L/wr250r or get a bloody road bike. Any exc will be a shit road bike

 

Thanks for your answers, I guess it's a no then haha .

 

stick with your lego.

 

How many miles have you covered during this 2 month, 100 hour, 2 piston change, road rampage?

 

yea 120h is risking it, but it shows that it can be done, and that road riding doesn't wear out pistons any faster than usual... look at the way he clutches it in as soon as he lets go of throttle, that's the key to not starving the piston from oil.

 

Us finns and swedes never let our bikes engine brake. It's a completely different thing with the italians...